Posts by Alex Jacobsen
Testimonies from Paris: God at Work at the Olympic Games
The 2024 Olympic Games had its fair share of newsworthy moments. Whether you tuned in or not, it’s likely you heard of some of the victories and controversies that took place over the two-and-a-half-week period. How much of what you heard, though, pointed to God? With the nations of the world gathered in one city,…
Read MoreVideo: “Hymnal–Humanity Gathered” Art Exhibition
Organized by Arts Impact Zone leader Emilee Irwin and featuring works by Parisian artists and GEM global workers, the “Hymnal–Humanity Gathered” exhibition at Agapé Hub aimed to spark conversations around art and faith during the Olympic Games. The exhibition was a collaboration with La Baptisse, a local ministry in the 7th arrondissement, and ran from July 23 to…
Read MoreThe Overlooked Field: The 40/70 Window
Walking down the city streets of Budapest, London, or Rome, you’ll likely notice a cultural diversity among the urban landscapes. Europe is a kaleidoscope of cultures and its inhabitants now unmistakenly diverse. From a missional perspective, seeing the nations of the world becoming increasingly accessible—many of which coming right to our doorsteps—is inspiring. Traditionally, the focus of…
Read MoreThe Crux of Missions
Spend some time online searching for the answer to “Why Missions” and you will find two overarching responses to this question. Why do we want people to go to the nations? As a missionary mobilizing organization, Greater Europe Mission has a vested interest in getting this answer right. So, why missions? The two predominant answers simply…
Read MoreRetreat to the French Alps with the Men of GEM
For the last two years, men serving with Greater Europe Mission have gathered in the French Alps at Camp des Cimes to get refreshed, encouraged, and grow closer to Jesus. This men’s retreat was exactly what I needed after two years on the German field. It was a retreat in every sense of the word…
Read MoreThe Great Commission in the City
What do you think of when you hear the words populated, busy, or traffic? How about nightlife, museums, and restaurants? Do you think of a place where you might live? A place where you might want to live and serve? With over half of the world’s population living in cities, it’s no wonder long-time church…
Read MoreFrom Uncertainty to Belief: Jan’s Story
Jan seemed to enjoy the weekly dinners around Jay and Nancy Matsingers’ table as they led a small gathering through an Alpha Course. Together with the others in the group, the blond-haired young professional expressed curiosity about the gospel and the Bible’s teachings. He was a quiet sort, but that didn’t keep him from participating…
Read MoreParis in Motion Ahead of the Olympics
Days away from the opening ceremonies of the 2024 Olympic Games and Paris has become a playground for the world’s top athletes. Monuments have been transformed into arenas to showcase talent and competition for the next six weeks. Even Mayor Anne Hidalgo proved her mettle by taking a dip in the Seine River to prove…
Read MoreServing Physical Needs and Making Disciples in Romania
“Hymnal–Humanity Gathered” Exhibition Launches for the Olympics
When: July 23 – August 10, 2024 Where: Agapé Hub Art Gallery 50 rue Meslay 75003 Paris 3rd arrondissement La Baptisse 48 rue de Lille 75007 Paris 7th arrondissement GEM is excited to announce the “Hymnal––Humanity Gathered” project, an arts exhibition running through the duration of the Summer Olympic Games in Paris. Organised by Arts…
Read MoreDocumenting the Lives of Missionaries in Europe
So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:18 What are we living for? For the believer, we aren’t living for this world but for God. To live a life truly dependent on Him…
Read MoreA Different Way to Think About “Sharing the Gospel”
New and growing disciples often encounter a frequent, familiar sentiment. This sentiment, implied by Christian leaders throughout church history, is that believers mustn’t get involved in secular fields, specifically those on the frontlines of creating culture like arts, music, entertainment, politics, or business. The implication is that God’s doesn’t want us to participate in the…
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